Can closing machine



Jan. 9, 1945. J. H. MURCH ET AL 2,366,748

CAN CLOSING MACHINE Filed April 4, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 9, 1945 CAN CLOSING MACHINE John H. Murch, East Orange, and Ronald E. J.

Nordquist, Maplewood, N. J., assignors to American Can Company, New York, N. tion of New Jersey Y., a corpora- Application April 4, 1941, Serial No. 386,919 9 Claims. (01. 226 -86) The present invention relates to can closing machines for sealing the flap or attached closure element of a filled fibre milk container, can or bottleand has particular reference tosealing a portion of the flap down over an edge of the container. This is an improvement over United States Patent 2,170,821, issued August 29, 1939, to J. M. Hothersall et al. on Can closing machine.

An object of the invention is the provision of 'a can closing machine for sealing filled fibre milk containers of the character having closure elements formed with an extended flap wherein the flap is sealed down over the pouring edge of the container to protect this edge. against contamination during shipment and storage.

Another object is the provision of such a machine for sealingfilled fibre milk containers of the character having hingeclly attached extended flap closure elements which are adapted to be tioned container as shown in Fig. 3, the view showing parts of the devices in a different position from that shown in Fig. 3.

As a preferred embodiment of the invention the drawings illustrate principal parts of the can closing machine disclosed in the above mentioned Hothersall etal. patent. In such a mainserted in part intoand close a filling and dispensing' opening in a wall of the container wherein the inserted portion of the closure element is extruded or expanded after it is in place in the filling and dispensing opening to lock the element in place while the extended flap portion of the element is simultaneously "sealed down over an adjacent edge ofthe container to protect the pouring edge against contamination.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 'is a top plan view of a portion of a can closing machine embodying the. instant invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectionalview taken substantially along the broken line 3-3 in of the Fig. 1, with parts broken away, and showing'a container in place for sealing, the upper portion of the container being shown in section;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal plan section taken substantiall along the line 4-1 in Fig. 3, with parts broken away;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken substantially I alongthe line 5-4 in Fig. 3, with parts broken away; and

chine a filled fibre milk container A (Figs. 3 and 4) of preferably rectangular cross section is closed and sealed with a friction plug closure element B which is hingedly attached by a wire staple C to the top of the container.

The friction plug portion of the closure element B is inserted into and closes a filling and dispensing opening D formed in one corner of the container top wall. After insertion into the dispensing opening D when the container has been filled, the closure element is extruded or expanded in part to produce an annular bead inside the container. This is to lock :and'seal the closure element in place on the filled container.

The machine herein shown to exemplify the instant invention is best adapted to seal containers of the character disclosed in United States Patent' 2,182,818, issued December 12, 1939, to J. H. Murch. Such acontainer in--' cludes a closure elementB formed with an extended flap portion E which projects over the container top wall adjacent the dispensing opening and extends down over and underthe adjoining edge of the contaner to protect these surfaces against contamination during shipment and storage so that they may be used as a pour-- I ing lip for the container when the latter is opened. This flap E is crimped in place securely to hold it against displacement.

In the machine shown in the drawings the containers move along a curved path oftravel with a rotating sleeve ll (Figs. 1, 12, 3 and 4) which revolves on a vertically disposed stationary post l2. The post may be a part of or may be supported on the main frame of the machine as disclosed in the Hothersall patent.

The containers A are supported on yieldable pads 13 retained in brackets II which are formed onthe sleeve 1 I. There are a plurality of these. pads equally spaced around the sleeve and the the Hcthersall machine patent hereinabove mentioned. 1

Above each support pad l3 there :is a closure element sealing unit generally indicated by the numeral 16 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3). Each sealing 'unit is located directly over the closure element 13 of the container A as it rests on its pad l3. The closure element is in inserted or closed position in the dispensing opening D (as shown in Fig. '3) when the container is deposited on its support pad.

Each sealing unit l6 includes a head body 22 (Fig. 3) having an upright hollow stem 23 which fits within a vertically movable sleeve section 24 of a cam slide 25. The cam slide is carried in a bore 28' which extends vertically through a head block 21 formed on the outside of and preferably as an integral part of the rotatingsleeve II. The head body 22 and its stem 23 are supported on a rod 28 which extends down through the middle of the cam slide sleeve section 24 and through the head body stem, the lower end of the rod having a shouldered portion 29 which engages with a shoulder 3| formed on the inside of the head body stem.

The upper end of the rod 28 is threaded into the upper end of the cam slide 25 and is locked in place by a setscrew 32 which is threaded into the cam slide. A compression spring 35 surrounds the rod and is interposed between thecamslide and the top of the head body stem 23 and provides a yieldable connection between these parts.

At its upper end the cam slide 25 carries a cam roller 31 which operates in a camgroove 38 formed in a stationary cam ,39. The cam is secured to the upper end of the stationary post l2. A feather 42 carried in the cam slide operates 1 in a featherway. 43 cut in the head block 21 and this prevents the cam slide from turning in the is brought into engagement with the top of the container A.

While the head body 22 is in engagement with sealing of the fiap E is brought about by a crimp-' ing device 60 (Figs. 1, 2, and 3) which is located adjacent the sealing head unit and which moves around with the unit. There is one of these crimping'devices for each sealing unit.

Each crimping de ice 60 includes a horizontally movable crimping tool 62 (Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6) and a vertically movable pressure foot 63 which cooperate in performing the flap sealing operation. The crimping tool 62 is formed as a part of a slide 65 which operates in a pair of spaced and parallel gibs or guides 66 secured to a flat lug extension 67 which extends out from and is preferably an integral part of the rotating sleeve II: J

The inner end of the crimping slide 65 is formed with a right angle V-shaped notch II which permits the slide to fit snugly around one corner of the container A while its closure element is being sealed, this comer being the one where the closure element is located. The inner edge of the slide adjacent the notch'is prothe top of the filled container A the plug section e while an endless coiled spring 49 which surrounds the head bottom and engages the outer ends of the slide bars, maintains them under pressure tending to collapse the die elements. The inner ends of the slide bars are beveled from the top where they are engaged by a lower tapered end 52 of the rod 28.

Hence when the head body 22 moves down onto the container top the depending die members 45 proiect down "into the inserted plug section of the closure element B, as best shown in Fig. 6. This engagement of the-head body with the container arrestsits further downward movement and thereafter'as the cam slide continues to move down it forces the tapered lower end of rod 28 against the inner beveled ends of.the slide bars 45 and this shifts thebars outwardly against theresistance of the encirclin spring 49 thus bringing the parts into expanded.

position. I

bottom of the head block. a

vided with an inwardly extending shoulder or stepped crimping edge 12.

The slide 65 is normally held in a retracted position away from the container by a compression spring 14 which is disposed in a pocket 15 formed in the lug extension 61. presses against a depending leg 15 of an angle member 11 adjustably securedto the slide by a screw 18. Adjustment of this angle member may be obtained to position the slide correctly reiative to the container. The leg 16 of the angle member extends down into a clearance hole "I9 formed in the lug extension 51.

Hence when the slide 65 is pushed inwardly toward the container the notch II fits around the corner of the container and the stepped crimping edge 12 of the tool extends under the top edge ofthe container. The outer edge of the flap E of the closure element preferably extends down over the outer edge of the container when the latter is placed in position for sealing. Hence when the crimping slide moves in toward the container, the stepped crimping edge of the slide engages against such overhanging marginal portion of the fiap E and thereby folds it v under the top seam edge of the container, as

shown in Fig. 6..

Shifting of the .crimping slide 65 into fiap crimping position against the container is effected by a vertically movable slide actuating rod 8| having a beveled lower end 82 which rides against the leg 16 of the slide angle 'member 11.

, The rod extends up through a sleeve 84 which is formed on the pressure foot 53. The sleeve is disposed in a vertical bore 86 in the sealing head block 2'! and is formed with an outer stop shoulder 8'! which normally engages against the The sleeve is prevented from turning its bore 86 by a pilot pin 88 (Fig.5). The pin exi tendsdown through a guide hole in thefi bot 63 I and is threaded into the lug extension 51.

The spring.

The sleeve 84 is retained normally in this engaged position by a compression spring 89 which is interposed between the bottom of the sleeve and the top of one of the crimping slide gibs 66.

The ends of the spring are seated in pockets formed in the sleeve and in the gib.

The upper end of the slide actuating rod 8| is secured to a cam slide member 9!. Ifhe slide member is formed with a depending skirt section 92 which extends down into the bore 86 and surrounds the upper end of the sleeve 84. For this latter purpose the upper end of the sleeve is reduced in diameter. This reduction in diameter produces a step or shoulder 94 in the sleeve and this step is normally spaced away from the lower end of the skirt section 92 of the cam slide member 9!, as in Fig. 3. I

The cam slide member 9| carries a cam roller 96 which operates against a cam track 91 formed on the stationary cam 39. The roller is rotat ably mounted on a bushing it'll which in turn is eccentrically mounted on and secured to a pin I02 carried in the slide member. Hence by turning the pin I02 the roller may be slightly raised or lowered and thus change the position of the cam slide relative to the cam. This change in position also affects the relation between the tapered lower end of the actuating 4 rod 81 and the crimping slide 65.

After an adjustment of the roller pin. it may be locked in place by a locking block I 93 (Fig.

I 2) having locking teeth which engage in cooperating teeth formed on the periphery of a locking wheel J04 carried on the outer end of the in I02. by a screw which is threaded into the cam slide member 9|.

The cam roller 96 is maintained in operating.

engagement with the cam track 91 by a compression spring N15. The spring is disposed in a vertical pocket I06 in the head block 21 and surrounds a long screw I01 which extends down through the middle of the pocket and is threaded into the head stock at the bottom of the pocket. The upper end of the screw projects through a lug I08 formed on the cam slide member 9i and the spring presses upwardly aga nst this lug. A head I09 on the upper end of the screw provides a stop which prevents too great an upward movement of the slide member.

Hence as the cam roller 96 traverses the stationery cam track 91 with the turning of the main sleeve II, the track depresses the cam slide member 9| at the proper time and this forces the slide acutating rod 8| down against the rear end of the angle member 11 of the crimp ng slide '65. It is this movement of the actuating rod that forces the crimping slide inwardly against the container and thereby folds the flap E under the outer edge of the container.

As the cam slide member 9| continues to move down its skirt section 92 engages against the.

shoulder .94 on the pressure foot sleeve Bland this depresses the sleeve. This downward movement of the sleeve shifts the pressure foot 63 down against the top of the container and thus squeezes the unfolded portion of the flap E down against the top of the container edge and the folded under portion of the flap .is pressed up against the under side of the container edge. The stepped inner edge I2 of the crimping slide 66 backs up the container during this crimping action. The foot 63 is also of angular shape to conform to the configuration of the notched out The locking block is held in place crimping tool 62 so that the pressure is applied equally along the edge only of the container.

The container A is usually coated on its exterior .surface with a film of wax and this wax serves as an adhesive to retain the crimped-over flap E in position during shipment and storage of the container. Where a coating of wax is not used on the container 9. suitable adhesive may be used on the flap E if desired.

This crimping of the flap E in place and the simultaneous expanding of the friction plug section of closure element B completes the sealing of the container. The pressure on the. crimping slide 65 is thereupon released by an upward movement of the actuating rod BI and the compression spring 14 thus moves the slide into a retracted position. This upward movement of the rod also releases the pressure on the pressure foot 63 and the foot is thereupon lifted away from the container by the compression spring 89.

Simultaneously with this release of the crimping tools, the plug expanding die members 45 are 'contracted by the spring 49 which is allowed to act as the tapered wedge surface 52 slides out of holding position upon the upward movement of the operating rod 28. 'This releases the die members from the plug section of the closure element and the entire head body 22 and its associated parts are lifted free of the container. This is .brought about by the cam 39 and rpller 91. The sealed container is thus free to be discharged from the machine in any suitable manner, for example as disclosedin the Hothersall patent hereinbefore mentioned.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be. made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts with out departing from the spirit andseope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

We claim:

1. In a machine for closing and sealing a fibre container having a closure element hingedly mounted on a wall thereof adjacent a corner of the container with an extension of the-closure element projecting over a protruding edge of the container, the combination of a crimping tool yieldably mounted adjacent and slidable toward the container and engageable at a corner of the container for crimping the projecting extension of the closure element'around the container edge to protect the edge against contamination, a

yieldable pressure foot movable. in -a direction normal to the movement of said crimping'tool for pressing the crimped closure element extension into tight engagement with the container edge to hold it inedge protecting position, a sleeve on said pressure foot, a reciprocable member slidable within said sleeve and engageable with said crimping tool for actuating said tool pressure element engageable with said container for pressing the crimped extension of the closure element tightly against the container edge, and means slidably movable within and relative to said pressure element for moving said crimping means into crimping engagement with said closure element extension.

3. In a machine for closing and sealing a fibre container having a closure element hingedly mounted on a wall thereof'adiacent a corner of the container with an extension of the closure 7 elementprojecting over a protruding edge of the container, the combination of a crimping tool movable toward the container and engageable at a corner of the container for crimping the projecting extension of the closure element around the containeredge to protect the edge against contamination, a pressure foot movable in a direction normal to the movement of said crimping tool for pressing the crimped closure element extension into tight engagement with the container edge to hold it .in edge protecting position, and means slidably movable Within and relative to said pressure foot for moving said crimping tool into crimping engagement with said closure element extension for the purpose specified.

4 In a machine for closing and sealing a fibre container having a closure element hingedly mounted on a wall thereof adjacent a corner of the container with an extension of the closure element projecting over a protruding edge of the container, the combination of a crimping tool movable toward and away from the container and engageable at a corner of the container for crimping the projectingextension of the closure element around the container edge to protect the edge against contamination, a pressure foot movable in a direction normal to the movement of said crimping tool for pressing the crimped closure element extension into tight engagement.

with the container edge to hold it in edge protecting position, and reciprocable actuating means for operating said crimping tool and said pressure foot in the proper direction and in timed order during movement through a single stroke, the

actuating means for said crimping tool being serted portion of said closure element withinthe container opening and beneath the edges of the same for sealing the container, instrumentalities' also carried by and movable relative to said' sealing head and operable upon th closure element flap extension for crimping it over the container edge for sealing the extension against the top of the container edge, said crimping instrumentalities including independent devices movable in directions at right angles to one another for the purpose specified, and meansfor simultaneously actuating said'expangiin'g means and crimping instrumentalities intimed relation for the ex-: panding and crimping operations.

6. In a machine for closing and sealing a fibre container having a closure element hingedly mounted on thetop wall thereof with a part inserted into anopening in saidwall and furth er having a flap extension projecting over an adjacent edge of the container for protecting the edge against contamination, the combination of mechanism for advancing a container along a predetermined path of travel through the machine, a sealing head, sealing means carried by and movable relative to said sealing head and disposed in the path of the advancing container above its said closure element, for expanding the inserted part of said closure element within the container opening to seal the container, and cooperating independent instrumentalities carried by said sealing head and operable in a direction at right angles to one another in timed relation to'the actuation of said sealing means for crimping the flap extension over and beneath the container edge and for sealing said extension tight against the top of the container.

7. In a machine for closing and sealing a fibre container having a friction plug closure element hingedly mounted on the top wall thereof with a part inserted into an opening in said wall and further having a flap extension projecting over an adjacent edge of the'container. for protecting the edge against contaminatiomthe combination of mechanism for advancing a container along a predetermined path of travel through the machine, vertically movable sealing means disposed above the container-closure element for expand-- ing the inserted part of said closure element within the container opening to seal the container, a crimping tool cooperatively mounted relative to said sealing means and slidable toward the container and engageable with a corner of the container for crimping the projecting extension of the closure element around the container edge to protect the edge against contamination, a pressure foot movable in a direction normal to the movement of said crimping tool for pressing the crimpedclosure element extension into tight engagement with the container edge to hold it in edge protecting position, and .means slidably mounted within and movable relative to said pressure foot for actuating said tool for the crimping operation. i

8. In a machine for closing and sealing a fibre container having a closure element mounted on a wall thereof with an extension of the closure element projecting over a protruding edge of the container, the combination of a crimping tool slidable toward and engageable with the projecting extension of the container closure element for folding the said extension under the outer edge of the container, a pressure foot movable in a directiori normal to the sliding movement of said crimping tool for squeezing the folded portion of said closure element extension against the outer edge of the container. with the said extension backed up by said crimping tool, resilient means for normally holding said pressure foot out of engagement with said closure element,extension, and means for moving said crimping tool and said pressure toot against' the action or said-resilient means to crimp said closure element in container edge protecting position.

9. In amachine for closing and sealing a fibre. container having a closure. element mounted on a wall thereof with an extension of the closure, element projecting over a protruding edge of the container, the combinationiof a crimping tool and having a movement in a direction normal to the slidingmovement of said crimping tool, actuating means for sliding said crimping tool against said closure element extension to fold parts thereof under the outer edge of the container and to back up the folded parts, said actuating means also lowering said pressure foot to press it on the folded closure element and to crimp it on said protruding container edge, and a sliding connection between said pressure foot and said crimping tool for delaying thedownward movement of said pressure foot by said actuating means until said crimping tool has moved into its backing-up JOHN H. MURCH. RONALD E. J. NORDQU'IST.

5 position. 

